PRAIRIES

PRAIRIES

The grasslands in the North America are Location of prairies known as the prairies. They cover a large area of U.S.A and Canada. This area is drained by river Mississippi and its tributaries, the basin is very fertile and important for agriculture. River Mississippi with its tributaries

The prairies have a continental type of climate as summers are hot and winters are cold. The temperature in summers goes as high up to 38°C and in winters is as low as (-40)°C. The rainfall is not sufficient for the growth of trees, but, different types of grasses can be found in the Prairies. In some places, grasses grow taller than a man.

THE MAMMALS AND REPTILES OF THE PRAIRIE ARE THE ANIMALS THAT WE COMMONLY ASSOCIATE WITH THE WESTERN UNITED STATES; BISON, COYOTE, ANTELOPE, BADGER, ELK, PRAIRIE DOG, VARIOUS SKUNKS, OTTERS, FOXES, SNAKES, LIZARDS, AMONG MANY OTHERS

A large part of prairies is now being converted into agricultural land. The main crops grown are flax, oats, wheat, rye, sunflowers, etc. The farms are big in size and the work is mostly done with the help of machines. This type of farming is known as extensive farming. In this type of farming, modern methods of cultivation and high yeilding variety of seeds is used., due to this the prairies have been named as GRANARIES OF THE WORLD.

The population is mainly concentrated around wheat growing areas and rivers. The prairies are well connected with all modern means of transportation. But, due to increase in population in the recent pasts, the grasslands ahave been cleared for agriculture, construction of transport routes and settlements; this has resulted in serious problems of soil erosion leading to drought conditions. DROUGHT SOIL EROSION

B. Anushka VII B